UEL Research Conference: Session 4 Identity & Culture

Is the future sissy?Stephen Maddison, School of Arts and Digital Industries‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

Is there a role for the effeminate homosexual in contemporary Anglo-American cultures? From a gay liberation rejection of camp and flaming as self-oppression, to a post-queer celebration of gender dissidence, the sissy has symbolized the complex and changing relationships between gender and sexuality.

But where is the sissy now and what does he represent? This talk analyzes examples of recent gay male academic work on masculinity, alongside queer articulations of effeminacy, and considers the impact of both apparently gay-friendly TV shows like The New Normal (2012). Download the full abstract

Migrant and ethnic minority families’ notions of health and wellbeing in superdiverse communities and global neighbourhoodsSyemon Dagkas, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

The concept of superdiversity recognises the complexity of migrant populations created by overlapping variables including country of origin and migration experience. This talk examines migrant families’ notions and understanding of health and wellbeing in the era of superdiversity through a mixed methods approach.Download the full abstract.

Imaging the Islamic State: Identity, Rebellion and ColonialJohn Strawson, School of Law and Social Sciences‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

This talk will investigate the interplay of politics and religion in the Islamist project for an Islamic State. Its point of departure is that no such state has existed historically. None the less what is significant is the way in which anti-colonial mobilizations in favor of the Islamic state have played a critical role in forging modern Islamic identity. Download the full abstract